CEQA Litigation: Best Practices
Litigation under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a common subject among practitioners. Join us for a discussion with local attorneys on how to avoid getting sued while working on CEQA projects.
1 MCLE Credit Available
Schedule
5:30 - 5:45 p.m. - Registration
5:45 - 6:00 p.m. - Dinner Selection and Serving
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Presentation
Dinner and soft drinks are included in the registration price.
Menu: Wood Smoked BBQ Tri-Tip Sandwich, Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich on Focaccia Bread, Sierra Madre Wrap, High Sierra Chicken Apple Pecan Salad, Veggie Plant Burger
Speakers
Sara Hedgpeth-Harris
Sara Hedgpeth-Harris is the managing attorney for the Housing Team at Central California Legal Services. She was counsel in the Sierra Club v. County of Fresno case that was recently heard by the California Supreme Court. Sara Hedgpeth-Harris began her legal career as a staff attorney with the Fifth District Court of Appeal. After leaving the Court, Sara practiced four years with a civil litigation firm in Fresno and then established a solo public-interest law practice representing homeowners in foreclosure cases, plaintiffs in civil rights cases and petitioners challenging agency actions under state and federal environmental laws. Sara Hedgpeth-Harris obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the San Joaquin College of Law.
Michael P. Slater
Michael P. Slater is a partner at Powell Slater, LLP. His practice areas encompass municipal, real estate, and land use matters, including CEQA, endangered species, planning, entitlement, zoning, and land acquisition. Mr. Slater currently acts as general counsel to Wathen Castanos Homes and local counsel to Lennar Homes of California. He previously served as Assistant City Attorney to the cities of Fresno, Orange Cove, Kerman and San Joaquin; Vice President of Business Development and Director of Forward Planning to Lennar Fresno, Inc.; and General Counsel to Friant Development Corporation. He is a past President of the Fresno County Bar Association, Fresno Fire Chief's Foundation and the Clovis West Foundation. Mr. Slater is a 1986 graduate of University of California at Davis, with a degree in history. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego in 1990.
John P. Kinsey - Moderator
John P. Kinsey is a shareholder at the law form of Wanger Jones Helsley PC. His practice includes all aspects of land use, municipal, and environmental law, with a particular focus on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). He has successfully brought and defended dozens of writ petitions under CEQA and the California Administrative Procedures Act, resulting in several published appellate decisions in his favor, including John R. Lawson Rock & Oil v. Air Resources Board (2018) 20 Cal.App.5th 77, and POET, LLC v. California Air Resources Board (2017) 12 Cal.App.5th 52. He also has extensive experience in civil litigation in both state and federal courts, water law, appeals, and government ethics. Mr. Kinsey presently serves on the Board of Directors of the California Associate of Environmental Professionals, representing the Central Chapter, as well as the Board of Directors for the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He is a graduate of University of California at Berkeley with a degree in history, and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from UCLA School of Law.
Registration Fees: AEP Members – $15, Non-Members - $30
If you have questions about registration, please contact Ellen Moore at ellen.moore@reedley.ca.gov or at (559) 637-4200 x 222.
If you have an Agency or Corporate Membership, you can register by providing the name and e-mail of registrants to Ellen Moore at ellen.moore@reedley.ca.gov
